Classic Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Potato Skins
Make restaurant-style loaded potato skins at home. This easy recipe delivers crispy skins filled with melted cheese and bacon, perfect for an appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 70 min
- Total Time: 85 min
- Yield: 8 appetizer servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the skins are firm and the insides are tender.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool until you can safely handle them. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of the inside potato flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell. Place the shells on a baking sheet.
- Brush the inside and outside of the potato shells lightly with any remaining olive oil.
- Bake the empty shells for 10 minutes to help them crisp up.
- Remove the shells from the oven. Fill each skin evenly with the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Return the stuffed potato skins to the oven and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh chives, and black pepper before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy skins, lightly brush the inside of the scooped-out shells with melted butter before the second bake.
- You can prepare the scooped potato flesh for twice baked potatoes or mash it for another use.
- If you prefer, you can bake the skins for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit after filling them to get a crispier exterior.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skins
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 45